About
Memphis Grizzlies

History of the Memphis Grizzlies

The Memphis Grizzlies franchise began as an expansion team north of the border in Vancouver, Canada. The Grizzlies and Toronto Raptors first took the court in 1995 as part of the National Basketball Association's expansion into Canada. From the franchise's first season through 2001 when it subsequently moved to Memphis, the team compiled a record of 101-359. The Grizzlies' struggles were amplified in Vancouver as fan interest in buying tickets began to waver and attendance began to drop. The NBA granted the Grizzlies ownership their request to move to Memphis and began play in 2001. In a new city, the Memphis Grizzlies also brought with them a highly touted center from Spain named Pau Gasol. The seven-foot center was drafted third overall in the NBA Draft and quickly became the first superstar to play for the Grizzlies. For his career in Memphis, Pau Gasol averaged nearly 20 points, more than eight rebounds and three assists per game. In 2006, he became an NBA All Star, the first Spaniard ever to do so. He was also the key piece during the most successful run in Memphis Grizzlies history.

In three seasons from 2003 through 2006, the Memphis Grizzlies finished with a combined record of 144-102, including a 50-win season in 2003-04. In each of those basketball seasons, the team gave their fans the chance to get Memphis Grizzlies tickets in the postseason. Although the team was unable to make it out of the first round, for the basketball-crazy town of Memphis it was a big step forward. The pressure will be on point guard Mike Conley to lead the team to uncharted territory. Marc Gasol is still a pillar of the organization and will have to stay healthy for the Grizzlies to compete in a tough Western Conference. Known mostly for their defense and work ethic, Memphis tried to get younger and more athletic. In 2016 they signed forward Chandler Parsons in free agency to help take some of the scoring load off Conley.

Most Recent Season

Prior to the 2017-18 Memphis Grizzlies season, the team acquired two rookies in the 2017 NBA Draft – Ivan Rabb from University of California, Berkeley and Dillon Brooks from University of Oregon. Star point Mike Conley Jr. guard only played in the first 12 games of the season due to suffering an Achilles injury. In January of 2018 he was ruled out for the remainder of the season. In November, head coach David Fizdale was fired after an eight-game losing streak and a highly publicized benching of Marc Gasol. Assistant coach J.B. Bickerstaff was promoted as interim head coach and will be keep his position as head coach permanently for the upcoming season. The Grizzlies ended their season with a record of 22-60 and missed the playoffs for the first time since the 2009-10 season. It was not a shining season in Grizzlies franchise history. But with Conley healthy for the upcoming season and a new head coach, things are looking up for Memphis.